Saturday, December 16, 2006

One of the more interesting forms of streakiness, in my view, is seeing one team go on a run to build up a big lead, only to see the other team turn the tables and make its own spurt to come back and win the game, or at least make it close.

Last night alone in the NBA, there were at least four games that followed the above storyline:

Phoenix built a 47-22 lead over Golden State in the second quarter, only to see the Warriors rebound for an 80-72 lead (a 33-point turnaround from -25 to +8 on Golden State's part). Unfazed by blowing their huge lead, however, the Suns came back to win the game, their 13th straight victory.

Philly shaved a 17-point Dallas lead to just 3, although the Mavs pulled away again. It was the Sixers' 10th straight loss; Dallas had a 12-game winning streak earlier this season.

This recent lead-blowing even appears to transcend any particular sport. In NHL action last Monday, Washington squandered a 4-0 lead in falling to Pittsburgh 5-4.

The above scenarios were all that I planned to write about. But right now, upon checking the score of the Texas Tech-Arkansas men's basketball game, I see where the Red Raiders have jumped out to an 18-3 lead. Tech, to this point, has missed only one shot, whereas Arkansas has made only one. If the aforementioned games are any lesson, expect a Razorback run to get back into the game.

Update: Arkansas never got closer than eight, with Texas Tech then pulling away to win by 15.